Westmoreland County high school softball recaps from Wednesday, April 26th 2023:

Seneca Valley 1 Norwin 0   LISTEN BROADCAST

Although Alyssa McCormick allowed just two hits, the Knights were stifled in a 1-0 loss at home to Seneca Valley. Raiders hurler Lexie Hames registered the shutout, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out 19. The only run of the contest came in the second inning, when McCormick issued four walks, the last of which came to Kylie Staudt with the bases loaded to plate Bella Gross. Rachel Minteer was the bright spot offensively for Norwin, reaching base three times, as she singled, walked, and reached on an error. Although both squads have already secured postseason berths, Norwin fell to 10-2 in Section 1-6A, while Seneca Valley leapfrogged the Knights into first place at 10-1.

Southmoreland 11 Yough 1 (6 inn.)   WATCH BROADCAST

Southmoreland exploded for five runs in the fourth inning to pull away from Yough and earn an 11-1 mercy rule victory in a Section 4-3A match up. The Scotties held a slim 2-1 lead through three innings but in the fourth they tallied five runs on four hits and took advantage of a couple Cougars errors to go in front 7-1. Southmoreland added three more runs in the fifth and a single tally in the sixth to end the game. Makayla Etling went 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored for the first place Scotties (8-2, 6-1). Gwen Bassinger had two hits and Maddie Brown drove in two runs. Brown was the winning pitcher as she allowed just one run on four hits while striking out three in six innings. McKenzie Pritts had a RBI single for Yough (7-3, 5-3).

Hempfield Area 9 Canon-McMillan 3

Hannah Uhrenek and Emily Griffiths each homered in leading the Spartans to a 9-3 win on the road at Canon-McMillan. Uhrenek also doubled in a 3-for-4 effort, producing a pair of RBIs. Hempfield Area, which has qualified for the WPIAL playoffs, improved to 9-2 in Section 1-6A, while the Big Macs dropped to 4-7.

Franklin Regional 4 Greater Latrobe 1

Carli Ramchandran tossed a two-hitter in propelling the Panthers to a 4-1 victory at home against Greater Latrobe in a battle of playoff-bound squads. Franklin Regional gained an early lead, scoring twice in the first inning on RBIs by Madison Nguyen and Lexie Patberg. Mackenzie Woehler provided a two-run single in the sixth to extend the FR advantage. Hayden Kraynick accounted for the lone run for the Wildcats, as she launched a solo homer in the second stanza. Josie Straigis went the distance in the circle for GL, allowing six hits. The Panthers improved their record to 6-2 in Section 2-5A, while the Wildcats fell to 5-3.

Penn-Trafford 7 Kiski Area 2

Lorryn Sepe homered to help the Warriors record a 7-2 win at Kiski Area. With the win, Penn-Trafford moved to 3-5 in Section 2-5A, while the Cavaliers dropped to 2-6. Additionally, Rilie Moors and Kylie Anthony each tripled for PT. In the setback, Mackenzie Rainey hit a triple and drove in both runs for Kiski Area.

Elizabeth Forward 11 Belle Vernon Area 1

Mia Zubovic homered, but that was all the offense the Leopards could muster in an 11-1 loss on the road against Elizabeth Forward. Belle Vernon Area, which has clinched a WPIAL playoff spot, fell to 7-2 in Section 2-4A, while the Warriors stayed unblemished at 9-0. Shelby Telegdy was nearly perfect in the circle, allowing just one hit, while she provided four RBIs offensively for EF.

Greensburg Salem 7 Albert Gallatin 4

Mia Peticca and Gionnah Ruffner provided nearly all of the offense for the Golden Lions in a 7-4 home victory against Albert Gallatin. Peticca blasted a three-run homer, while Ruffner accumulated three RBIs. Greensburg Salem improved its mark to 4-5 in Section 2-4A, while the Colonials dropped to 4-6.

Mount Pleasant Area 8 Derry Area 0

Gianna Stanek was overpowering in the circle, while the Vikings smacked a pair of home runs to claim an 8-0 win at Derry Area. Stanek posted nine punchouts for Mount Pleasant Area, while Ally Jones hit a three-run homer and Sophia Smithnosky added a solo blast. The Vikings, who have secured a playoff spot, improved to 5-3 in Section 3-3A, while the Trojans fell to 1-6.

South Allegheny 2 Ligonier Valley 1

Despite 10 strikeouts from Cheyenne Piper, the Rams dropped a 2-1 contest at home to South Allegheny. In addition to Piper’s effort in the circle, Payton LaVale provided an RBI for Ligonier Valley. The Gladiators’ offense came courtesy of a two-run blast by Cadence McBride. Already assured a playoff bid, Ligonier Valley fell to 4-4 in Section 3-3A, while South Allegheny improved to 2-6.

Greensburg Central Catholic 9 Brentwood 3

Macee Magill went 4-for-5 at the plate, driving in three runs to lead the Centurions to a 9-3 triumph at Brentwood. Makenzee Kenney was also an offensive catalyst for GCC, as she posted a double and a triple, adding an RBI. With a playoff spot already secured, Greensburg Central Catholic moved to 6-1 in Section 2-2A, while the Spartans fell to 1-7.

Jeannette 10 Saint Joseph 0

Grace Stein posted a shutout in the circle, allowing just three hits and striking out 11 to lead the Jayhawks to a 10-0 win at Saint Joseph. In addition to her success as a pitcher, Stein went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in, while Franke Crosby added a pair of RBIs for Jeannette. With the win, the Jayhawks ascended to 5-2 in Section 3-1A, while the Spartans fell to 2-7.

Shady Side Academy 4 Valley 3

Leechburg 12 Monessen 6